Colin looked worriedly at the creature. "It really isn't well."
"It's a monster," Jones barked.
Their argument faded from my mind as Kane whispered, "Roxy."
I wanted to cry. The whole situation was absolutely overwhelming. Half my brain was trying to focus on subduing this creature, but my heart was beating painfully every time I heard Kane's voice. He was here.
Sorry, Kane. I'm in the middle of something. The beast managed to free its hind legs and began kicking fiercely. Jones and Evans went flying, and a string of curses left someone's mouth. I couldn't even focus on who was going where. There’s a monster trying to put me between its spiny teeth again.
"The legs," I shouted in warning. Jessie yanked one of the ropes down on the left side as Holt tried to maneuver his weighted net around the creature's body. It was fighting like a bull out of the pen.
"This thing is strong, for something that's supposed to be suffering," Jones yelled as he dragged himself up. A trail of blood streamed down his face.
"I woke up after being passed out for a long time," Kane said hoarsely. My adrenaline surged as I held tightly to the rope for dear life. I couldn’t let this thing go. The device sat in my belt in case of emergency, although I worried that if I used it again, I might kill the Ghost. "I was out for too long. I'm hungry… I can't remember the last time I ate. I don't understand how I'm this tired."
"Same," I muttered beneath my breath. It was hard to concentrate on thinking my speech to him. Where are you? Do you see creepy clear surfaces around you? Lyra and Dorian might be headed your way.
"Captain," Holt cried. "Look out."
I hissed as the creature managed to swing its arm and nearly escape my rope with a flash of its claw. Colin came up behind me as the twins officially took over his side. He helped me pull the rope and secure the arm again. The beast roared. Jones and Evans attempted to restrain the legs again.
"Use the device," Jones grunted. I shook my head fiercely.
"If we kill this thing, Lyra and the others will be trapped," I argued.
"You're in trouble," Kane said.
Are you kidding me? You're the one who's in trouble. Focus, Kane. Tell me what happened. The ropes burned against my hands, even though I wore gloves. The Ghost was incredibly powerful.
"Before this?" Kane asked sleepily. He was partially delirious. It reminded me of the poor man Lyra brought back. I’d neglected to tell Kane that I had overheard his anxiety about things affecting him differently, though I worried that he might be struggling with that very issue right now. "I've been hearing your thoughts randomly. I just tried to keep getting closer to places where I could hear you better. I thought maybe I could connect to you."
You were listening, too? The beast roared. Colin said something in my ear, but I couldn't hear it between the wail and Kane's weak laughter.
"I'll tell you later," he promised. He let out a rattling cough. "Things are hard right now. I kept trying to find you. And… there's something else. I'm being followed. I think it's the same people who chased me and the kids earlier. They tried to take me out when I was a lot stronger, but… I don't know if I can handle them now." He let out a labored breath.
His energy was fading. Sweat broke out all over my body; I was killing myself trying to keep this monster down. Colin's strength was helping, but it wouldn't be long before the creature got away from us if the rest of the team couldn't get a hold on things.
Why did this have to be happening now? Kane… I was worried for him. Wherever he was, he was in danger. I needed to help him.
"Who are they?" I muttered.
"What?" Colin asked, gritting his teeth as he pulled. My other teammates were staring, but all I could do was look at the Ghost and listen for Kane.
He must've heard me. "The kids? Don't worry," Kane said. "I'll figure this out. I don't expect your help or anybody else's. I can handle this. I've always been on my own. I know that."
“You idiot. You're not alone.”
Jordan and Jessie were looking at me. Everyone was. I felt their confused gazes. I was saying my thoughts out loud, and I couldn't stop.
“Captain Taylor,” Holt said. “Are you okay?”
The Ghost let out a wail that pierced my brain. My exhausted senses craved a break. Where are you? Like hell I’m not going to help you. Silence answered me. I dug in my heels to tighten my grip on the rope. It was losing strength, but we needed to hold on. I refused to go down without a fight, and that included in front of Kane, of all people.
I’m a hopeless leader. My team is watching me slowly lose my sanity. Answer me, Kane. This wasn’t working. I couldn’t save Kane and save my team.
“Roxy,” Jordan said fiercely. “What the hell is going on?”
Tell me, Kane. Speak.
“I’ve always been ready to die,” Kane said. “Only a coward faces death with regrets.”
“Roxy,” Colin whispered. “It’s going down. We can stake the rope now.” His voice was gentle. He helped guide the rope down with me. I was on autopilot at the moment.
Don’t you dare tell me you don’t have regrets, Kane. You haven’t seen
